Punched tape feed and guiding device for paper tape punches or readers

ABSTRACT

A feed and guiding device for a punched paper tape feed or reader is described. A take-up reel and a feed reel are included in the device. The support bearing of the reels are upwardly opened so that the reels can be inserted and removed by a motion which is perpendicular to their axis of rotation. A diverter for changing the movement of the tape by 180* is also provided.

United States Patent Cerutti et al.

[451 Aug. 8, 1972 [54] PUNCIIED TAPE FEED AND GUIDING DEVICE FOR PAPER TAPE PUNCHES OR READERS [72] Inventors: Giovanni Cerutti; Armando Costa; e andro .C qnfl a" Italy [73] Assignee: Ing. C. Olivetti & Co., S.p.A.,

Torino, Italy [22] Filed: June 9,1970

[21] Appl. No.: 44,799

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data V June 9, 1969 Italy ..52155 N69 [52] US. Cl. ..242/190, 242/67.2, 242/75.51 [51] Int. Cl. ....B65h 59/38, B65h 63/02, B65h 25/32 [58] Field of Search ..242/193, 182, 190, 183, 192, 242/55, 75.1, 54 R, 194, 76, 75.51, 68.4,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,135,475 6/ 1964 Dodsworth ..242/7l.9 X

1,836,815 12/ 1931 Reeves ..242/54 R 3,367,593 2/1968 Grant 2,268,547 1/1942 Haines..... 1,155,309 9/1915 Heckel ..242/55 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,000,583 l/1957 Germany ..242/54 R Primary Examiner-George F. Mautz Assistant Examiner-Edward J. McCarthy Attorney-Birch, Swindler, McKie & Beckett [57] ABSTRACT 15Claims,4DrawingFigures PATENTEDAUG 8 m2 SHEET 2 [IF 4 PATENTED AUG 8 I972 SHEET 3 BF 4 PUNCHED TAPE FEED AND GUIDING DEVICE FOR PAPER TAPE PUNCHES OR READERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a device for feeding and guiding the punched paper tape for tape punches or readers. The invention enables an easy and rapid insertion of the take-up and feed reels for the paper tape and the automatic engagement of the end of the paper tape on the take-up reel, as well as the synchronization of the winding of the tape on the take-up reel with the feed movement of the tape fed from the punch or the reader. The inventive device is also capable of arresting its operation and of simultaneously arresting the punch or the reader upon completion of the winding operation of the tape on the reel or following rupture of the tape.

The taking up of the punched paper tape from a punch or reader, is frequently accomplished through the use of reels provided with a central hole which engages frictionally the reel hub. The paper tape is fed to the reel by means of a pair of small rollers which usually feed the tape with a speed which is lower than the tangential velocity in correspondence with the radius of the reel core, in the absence of sliding between the reel and the reel hub.

In some instance, the winding devices of thekind described provision is also made for tape tensioning means. The tensioning means have the purpose of forming a loop in the paper tape between the feed rollers and the take-up reel as well as of resiliently supporting this loop. These features compensate for any instantaneous variations of speed between the rollers and the reel, and also prevent rupture of the paper tape because of the action of sudden accelerations resulting from stopping the tape.

The winding devices of the prior art, even though equipped with tape tensioning means, are subject to several disadvantages. First of all, in these devices, in order to mount the take-up reel (and/or the feed feel from which the paper tape is unwound) a rather complex and time consuming operation-is required. Normally it is necessary to insert the reels on the device with an axial movement, i.e. in the direction of the axes of the shafts to which the reels must be subsequently fastened by means of various kinds.

Furthermore, the operation for inserting and engaging the paper tape on the take-up reel also requires particular care because of the rather tortuous path which the paper tape must follow before being wound on the central core of the reel, particularly when a tape tensioning device is provided.

Another disadvantage stems from the fact that the movement of rotation of the reel and the feed movement of the paper tape coming from the punch (or the reader) are not always perfectly timed or synchronized, consequently any variation of one of the speeds of these two movements will require appropriate adjustments of the device controls, in order to avoid trouble.

Finally, at the end of thewinding operation, when the paper tape is completely wound up on the take-up reel, or in case of accidental rupture of the tape, the devices described above cannot be arrested in a fully automatic manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to avoid such disadvantages.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a punched paper tape feed and guiding device for tape punches or readers, comprising a take-up reel on which the paper tape is wound, and a feed reel from which the strip is unwound. The support bearing of the reels are open towards the top of the device and the rotation of the take-up reel is attained by means of a motor driven friction disk whose outer cylindrical surface is adapted to coact with the peripheral edge of one of the flanges of the take-up reel, so as to enable insertion of the reels in the device and removal of the same from the device by a movement of translation of these reels in a direction approximately perpendicular to the axes around which they will rotate in the device.

Preferably, adjacent the path followed by the punched paper tape, immediately before the passage of the paper tape in the nip between two rollers which feed the tape to the take-up reel, there is provided a member fixed to a lever adapted for pivotal movement in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the take-up reel. The lever is biased so as to tend to pull the tape into a loop in front of the feed rollers and is coupled to a cam means which, when the lever is moved against the bias to take the fixed member clear of the tape path, closes a switch to actuate the motor which drives the friction disk. The cam opens the switch upon a small movement of the lever from the first position to a position where the fixed member is adjacent the tape path and the cam means re-closes the switch upon a larger further movement of the lever consequent to formation of a tape loop of predetermined length.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention, one particular embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the device embodying the invention, with one side wall removed to expose the inner components of the device;

FIG. 2 is a section of the device of FIG. 1, taken along the lines 11-11, wherein some of the components shown in FIG. 1 have been omitted for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the path followed by paper tape from the feed reel to the tape-up reel, and a diverter disposed upstream of the take-up ree FIG. 4 is a section of the diverter shown in FIG. 3, taken perpendicular to the direction of tape movement through the diverter. 1

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The device for feeding and guiding the punched paper tape embodying the present invention shown in FIG. 1 includes a take-up reel 1, on which a punched paper tape 2 is wound as the tape comes from a punch or reader, after following a path to be described in detail below.

The reel 1 comprises a pair of spaced flanges 3 and 4 (FIG. 2) and a central hub having mounted thereon, by means of a friction coupling, a core 5 on which the paper tape is wound. The flange 3 is pulled towards the flange 4 in the axial direction by springs inside the hub, so as to grip the side edges of the paper tape, thereby causing the paper tape to be wound around the ring 5.

The reel 1 is provided with an inner hub 6 from which two end pins 7 and 8 protrude. Supporting of the reel 1, is provided by bearings or bushings 9 and 10 which are fastened to the upright walls of the device, 1 1 and 12 respectively. Each of the bearings 9, 10 is open in the direction of the top of the device so as to leave as in the case of the bearing 9 (FIG. 1) free spaces such as the aperture 13 defined by a pair of side walls 14, through which the pins 7 and 8 of the reel 1 can be inserted. Therefore, by virtue of the design arrangement described, the reel 1 can be disposed in its winding position on the device, by introducing it from the upper side of saiddevice and by simply bringing the pins 7 and 8 to abut against the support bearings 9 and 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pin 7 is longer than the pin 8. On the top of the device, directly above the reel 1, a plate 1a is disposed, which is provided with an aperture of essentially rectangular shape (through which the reel is introduced) and, approximately in correspondence of the middle point of the larger sides of this aperture,

two slots of different length are formed, opposite to one another, which are adapted for allowing passage of the reel 1 only when the same is oriented so that the pin 7 of greater length and the pin 8 of shorter length are brought into registration with corresponding slots of greater and shorter length, respectively. Part of the plate la and the slots is in FIG. 2; as shown in this figure, the assembly of the pins 7 and 8, associated with the corresponding slots in the aperture for the passage of the reel, .constitutes a sort of gauge which permits the introduction of the reel in the device only with a defined direction of orientation of the reel relative to the device. A similar arrangement (pins 7, 8, bearings 9, 10) can be realized for the paper-tape feed reel 53 shown in FIG. 3.

Rotation of the reel 1 during the winding operation of the paper strip, is provided by an electric motor 15 (FIG. 1). Motor 15 through two pairs of gears 16, 17 and l8, 19 respectively, causes rotation of a disk 20 shown in FIG. 2, which is urged against the peripheral edge of the flange 4 of the reel 1 with a pressure sufficient to rotate the reel 1 by friction. In order to generate this pressure between the disks 20 and 4, the disk 20 (which is integrally fixed to the gear wheel 19) is mounted on a support (FIG. 1) which is hinged to the frame of the device by means of a pivot pin 22 and is biased towards the reel 1 by the action of a spring 23.

To the gear wheel 19 there is fastened a belt driving sprocket 24, (FIGS. 1 and 2). The sprocket 24 can be formed integral with a gear wheel 19 which, drives a lower roller 26 through a toothed belt 25, (FIG. 1 The roller 26, together with an upper roller 27, constitutes the pair of feed rollers, between which the paper strip 2 is caused to pass for feeding to the take-up reel 1.

To convey the paper strip 2, firstly to the feed rollers 26 and 27 and thence to the take-up reel 1, a guide member 28 is provided. Guide member 28 defines a convergent slot which is limited by a pair of upper and lower walls which converge towards the feed rollers 26 and 27. Guide member 28 also includes a guide plate 29 which, upon being inserted into the space between the disks 3 and 4 of the reel 1, is adapted to convey the paper strip 2 almost in proximity of the ring 5 around which the strip has to be wound.

A lever 31 having three arms, is mounted onto wall 11 by a pivot pin 30. Lever 31 includes an actuating arm 32 the upper end of which is provided with a control pushbutton 33. Lever 31 also includes a second arm 34 the end of which is bent approximately at right angles and which carries a spindle 35 having an axis perpendicular to that of the lever 31. A third arm 36 of lever 31 is provided with a cam 37. The arm 34 of the lever 31 is so shaped that, in the position shown in FIG. 1 (corresponding to the loading position of the paper strip 2 on the winding device), the spindle 35 will be positioned in front of the guide member 28 and above the path followed by the strip.

The cam 37 which is provided at the end of the lever arm 36, includes a slot in which a pin 38 can slide. The pin 38 is integrally fixed to a lever 39, which is pivotally mounted on the device frame by means of a pin 40. Further, the front end of the lever 39 is provided with a projection 41 which is adapted to cooperate with a fork 42 of a lever 43 pivotally mounted on said frame by means of a pin 44. The lever is provided with a projection 45 by which a micro-switch 46 is actuated. Microswitch 46 in turn, actuates the motor 15. The lever 43 also comprises an arm 47 to the lower end of which a spring 48 is secured. This spring is adapted to bias the arm 47, and therefore the lever 43, in one of the two positions shown in full lines and in broken lines in FIG. 1.

The cam 37 includes three sections, two of which are straight end sections extending between the points AB and C-D respectively, and which are connected together by a curved central section, which extends between the points B and C. The distances of the points A and C from the pivot axis of lever 31 (i.e. the axis of the pin 30) are the same; the distances of the points B and D from the pivot axis are again the same, but are shorter than the distance of A and C from the pivot axis. The arm 34 of the lever 31 is biased by a helical spring 52, which tends to rotate the lever in clockwise direction.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the various elements or components of a tape punch to which the device embodying the present invention can be applied. The take-up reel, on which the punched paper strip is wound, corresponding to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is designated by the same reference numeral 1. The punch 54 is, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, disposed between the reel 1 and the feed reel 53.

As shown in FIG. 3, in order to feed the paper tape unwound from the reel 53, to punch 54 in order to feed the punched tape coming out from the perforator 54 to the take-up reel 1 two diverters 55 and 56 are used to divert the paper tape through The device embodying the present invention described herein can be disposed, with respect to the other elements illustrated in FIG. 3, at either side of the reel 1. The roller designated by the reference numeral 57 in FIG. 3, corresponds to the lower feed roller 26 of FIG. 1.

The diverter 56, which is disposed along the path followed by the punched paper tape between the punch 54 and the take-up reel 1, is also part of the feed device; this deviator is also shown in section in FIG. 4.

The diverter 56 (FIGS. 3 and 4) includes a tape support 58, on a portion of the outer surface of which a sliding seat 59 (FIG. 4) for the paper tape is provided. This seat is shaped (as can be seen in FIG. 3) to cause the paper tape to be diverted through 180 degrees. The support 58 of the diverter 56 is hinged, by means of a pin 60 (FIG. 4), to a bracket 61 fastened to the device frame in any suitable manner. A spring 62 biases the support 58 to rotate in clockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 4, so as to keep the support constantly abutting a stop 63 which is carried by an arm of the bracket 61.

The support 58 of the deviator 56 can be covered by a cap 64 (not shown on the diverter of FIG. 3), which is preferably made of a transparent material, such as a plactic material. The inner surface of cap 64 and the sliding seat 59 of the support 58 define a channel which serves to guide the paper strip. Therefore, by using the diverter described, simply introducing the paper tape into one of the ends of the channel 65 and by pushing the tape through the channel, results in the paper tape easily passing through the channel and coming out its opposite end, after being diverted through 180 degrees.

The cap 64 may be provided with suitable snap means, for instance with projections (not shown) formed on the inner surface thereof, which can be brought into cooperation with corresponding recesses in the support 58. In addition, the cap 64 can be provided with a centering pin 66 which is adapted to cooperate with a corresponding hole in the front surface of the support 58. The diverter can be caused to rotate around the pin 60 in counter-clockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 4, so as to render easily available all the sides thereof.

The operation of the device for feeding and guiding the punched paper tape is as follows.

When the device is coupled with a punch of the kind diagrammatically shown in FIG. 3, the end of the paper tape coming out of the punch 54 is grasped and introduced into the end aperture of the channel 65 (FIG. 4). By exerting a slight push on the paper strip, it is possible to cause the tape to pass through the entire channel 65 and to come out of the opposite end thereof. Then, by actuating the control push-button 33 (FIG. l), the actuating arm 32 can be brought in its end-of-stroke position, to the left as seen in FIG. 1. In this position (which corresponds to that of FIG. 1), the spindle 35 of the arm 34 is positioned above the path followed by the paper strip 2. The strip.2 is introduced into the device by passing underneath the spindle 35 and inside the guide member 28, until its end comes into the nip between the feed roller 26 and 27.

When the control pushbutton 33 is in its end-ofstroke position, the pin 38 of the lever 39 is in correspondence with the point A of the cam 37 and the projection 41 of lever 39 coacts with the fork 42 of the lever 43, as shown in FIG. 1, to urge the projection 45 against the contact of the microswitch 46, thereby closing this switch thus actuating the motor 15. Both the reel 1 and the feed roller 26 are brought into rotation through the pairs of gear wheels 16, 17 and 18, 19. The end of the paper tape, which is disposed in the nip between the rollers 26 and 27, is thus immediately The loading operation briefly described in the foregoing must be accomplished by constantly keeping the control pushbutton 33 in the end-of-stroke position to the left because as soon as this pushbutton is released, the lever 31 rotates in a clockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 1, under the action of the spring 52, as far as to bring the spindle 35 of the arm 34 into contact with the upper surface of the paper tape 2; the position thus taken by the spindle is shown in dash-and-dot line at B in FIG. 1. This pivotal movement of the lever 31 results in a displacement of the pin 38 on the cam 37 from the position A to the position B. Therefore the lever 39 rotates in counterclockwise direction, bringing the projection 41 against the wall of the fork 42 opposite to that with which it coacts in FIG. 1. This causes the lever 43 to snap into the position shown in broken lines in FIG. 1, and the projection 45 clears the contact of the microswitch 46 with consequent opening of the switch and stopping of the motor 15.

As soon as the punch is brought into operation, because the feed rollers 26 and 27 are now stationary, the paper tape incoming upstream of the guide member 28, which is acted upon by the spindle 35 of the lever arm 34, tends to collect at the bottom, between the member 28 and a support pin 67, thereby forming a loop the length of which increases with increasing pivotal movement of the lever 31 until the pin 38 of the lever v39 comes in correspondence with the point C on grasped and, with the aid of the guide plate 29, is 7 caused to be wound in a fully automatic manner around the core 5 (FIG. 2) of the reel 1.

the cam 37. The position taken by the spindle 35 at this point is shown in dot-and-dash lines at C in FIG. 1. With spindle 35 in this position, the projection 41 on the lever 39 cooperateswith the fork 42, and again brings the lever 43 in its end-of-stroke position (as shown in FIG. 1). Microswitch 46 is'again closed and the motor 15 started. At this point, winding of the paper tape 2 on the reel 1 starts and, because this winding proceeds with a speed which is never lower than the feed speed of the paper tape,'the length of the loop previously formed tends to decrease. Small variations of the feed speed or of the winding speed of the paper tape produces corresponding variations of the length of the loop and,-because during thepivotal movement of the lever 31 in counterclockwise directionto which the passage of pin 38 from the point C to the point B on the cam 37 corresponds the motor 15 is fed with electric current, winding of the paper tape can'continue until the point C' has reached the position B.

When the reel 1 has been wound with a quantity of paper tape sufficient to cause the tape to slightly protrude from the outer peripheral contour of the reel, the wound roll of paper tape slides against a sliding pin 68 (FIG. 1) which is diametrically opposite to the contact point between the disk 20 and the disk 4 of the reel 1. The high braking torque, generated as a result of the sliding movement of the paper tape against the pin 68, produces an overload on the motor 15 and hence a reduction of its speed of rotation. Also because the feed speed of the paper tape to the rollers 26, 27 remains unvaried and is thus higher than the winding speed, the length of the loop increases considerably. This allows the lever 31 to rotate clockwise and bring the pin 38 into correspondence with the point D of the cam 37 This position corresponds to the opening of the microswitch 46 and, therefore, the operation of the device is stopped. The position taken by the spindle 35 at this point is shown in chain lines at D in FIG. 1.

In the event of accidental rupture of the paper tape, the arm 34 of the lever 31 is no longer supported by the paper tape, and immediately reaches its lower, end-ofstroke position, thereby bringing the pin 38 into correspondence with the point D on the cam 37, thus stopping the motor 15.

With the pin 38 in correspondence with the point D on the cam 37, a projection 69 (FIG. 1) of the arm 36 of lever '31 can be brought into cooperation with the contact of a microswitch 70, whichopens the circuit for feeding electric current to the punch. 54, thereby causing arrest of the punch simultaneously with the arrest of the winding and guiding device.

What we claim is: r t

1. In a tape punch or reader having a feed reel from which said tape is unwound for punching or reading, a take-up reel for winding said punched or read tape,'a pair of feed rollers for feedingsaid tape toward said take-up reel at a predetermined rate, and electric motor drive means for driving said take-up'ree] and at least one of said feed rollers, a tape feed device for controlling the winding of said tape issuing from said punch or reader comprising:

a movable member positioned between said feed reel and said feed rollers and movable across the tape path, said movable member being biased in a first direction and engaging said tape to pull said tape into a loop under the action of said bias,

switch'means connected to said motor for activating and deactivating said motor, said switch means 1 being operated by intermediate means adjacent thereto, I v 1 cam means movable with said movable member and engagable with said intermediate means to close said switch when said movable member moves to a predetermined point under the action of said bias,

and to open said switch when said movable member. is short of said predetemrined point, said switch means when closed activating said motor to thereby drive said feed rollers and said take-up reel, and when open deactivating said motor,

whereby when said loop of tape is of such length as to allow said movable member to move to said predetermined point said motor is activated, but if said loop of tape is short of said predetermined point, said motor is deactivated.

2. The tape feed device according to claim 1 further 3. The tape feed device according to claim 1 wherein said feed rollers are disposed along said tape path downstream of a diverter conveying said tape from said punch or reader to saidtake-up reel. v

4. The tape feed device according to claim 3 wherein said movable member engages said tape at a point on said tape path immediately adjacent to and preceding said feed rollers, and is fixed to a lever pivotally movable in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said take-up reel and integralwith said cam'means.

5. The tape feed device according to claim 1 wherein said cam means includes a portion actuating said intermediate means to open said switch in response to said movable member pivoting beyond said predetennined point whereby said motor is deactivated if said tape breaks or said loop of tape becomes exceedingly long.

6. The tape feed and guiding device according to claim 2 further including a hub on each of said reels; said hubs being provided with two end pins of different length; and further including a plate above said device, said plate having two pairs of slots of different length adapted to allow passage of said reels only when said reels are oriented so as to bring said end pins into registration with corresponding slots of the same lengths as said pins. I a

7. The tape feed and guiding device according to claim 5, further including a pin in the proximity of the outer peripheral edge of said take-up reel; said tape bearing against said pin when wound beyond the peripheral edge of said reel, so that a-friction torque is generated between said tape and'said pin, said friction torque acting to reduce the speed of said motor and to cause the formation of a loop of excessive length.

8. The tape feed and guiding device according to claim 4 wherein: said cam means includes a slot formed in said lever; said intermediate means include a second lever having a second pin attached, said slot receiving said second pin, and said second'pin being adapted to cause pivotal movement of said second .lever between two positions, said pin in one of said two positions engaging a third lever said third lever cooperating with an actuating member of said switch so that said switch is closed when said pin is in said one position and open when said pin is in the otherof said two positions.

9. The tape feed and guiding device according to claim 5 wherein: said cam means includes a slot fon'ned in a lever; said intermediate means include 'a second lever having a second pin attached, said slot receiving said second pin, and said second pin being adapted to cause pivotal movementof said second lever between two positions, said pin in one of said two positions engaging a; third lever said third levercooperating with an actuating member of said switch so that said switch is closed when said pin is in said .oneposition and open when said pin is in the other of said two positions.

10. The tape feed and guiding device according to claim 7 wherein: said cam means includes a slot formed in a lever; said intermediate means include a second lever having a second-pin attached, said slot receiving said second pin, and said second pin being adapted to cause pivotal movement of said second lever between two positions, said pin in one of said two positions engaging a third lever said third lever cooperating with an actuating member of said switch so that said switch is closed when said pin is in said one'position and open when said pin is in the other of said two positions.

11. The tape feed and guiding device according to claim 8 wherein; said third lever is actuated by said second lever through a projection provided at the end of said second lever, said projection coacting with a fork fixed to said third lever; and including a clearance of predetermined value between the surfaces of said projection and the inside surfaces of said fork.

12. The tape feed and guidingdevice according to claim 1 further including atleast one tape diverter; said diverter having a support on which asliding seat for 14. The tape feed and guiding device according to claim 12 wherein said diverter is pivotally mounted on a bracket integrally fixed to said device, and said diverter is held in a normal working position, against a stop on said bracket, by the action of a spring.

15. The tape feed and guiding device according to claim 13 wherein said diverter is pivotally mounted on a bracket integrally fixed to said device, and said diverter is held in a normal working position, against a stop on said bracket, by the action of a spring. 

1. In a tape punch or reader having a feed reel from which said tape is unwound for punching or reading, a take-up reel for winding said punched or read tape, a pair of feed rollers for feeding said tape toward said take-up reel at a predetermined rate, and electric motor drive means for driving said take-up reel and at least one of said feed rollers, a tape feed device for controlling the winding of said tape issuing from said punch or reader comprising: a movable member positioned between said feed reel and said feed rollers and movable across the tape path, said movable member being biased in a first direction and engaging said tape to pull said tape into a loop under the action of said bias, switch means connected to said motor for activating and deactivating said motor, said switch means being operated by intermediate means adjacent thereto, cam means movable with said movable member and engagable with said intermediate means to close said switch when said movable member moves to a predetermined point under the action of said bias, and to open said switch when said movable member is short of said predetermined point, said switch means when closed activating said motor to thereby drive said feed rollers and said take-up reel, and when open deactivating said motor, whereby when said loop of tape is of such length as to allow said movable member to move to said predetermined point said motor is activated, but if said loop of tape is short of said predetermined point, said motor is deactivated.
 2. The tape feed device according to claim 1 further comprising: means rotatably mounting said take-up reel for insertion and removal perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of said take-up reel, a friction disc driven by said motor and drivingly engaging the outer periphery of said take-up reel, said friction disc engaging said take-up reel at a point substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of said take-up reel during insertion and removal from said mounting means.
 3. The tape feed device according to claim 1 wherein said feed rollers are disposed along said tape path downstream of a diverter conveying said tape from said punch or reader to said take-up reel.
 4. The tape feed device according to claim 3 wherein said movable member engages said tape at a point on said tape path immediately adjacent to and preceding said feed rollers, and is fixed to a lever pivotally movable in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said take-up reel and integral with said cam means.
 5. The tape feed device according to claim 1 wherein said cam means includes a portion actuating said intermediate means to open said switch in response to said movable member pivoting beyond said predetermined point whereby said motor is deactivated if said tape breaks or said loop of tape becomes exceedingly long.
 6. The tape feed and guiding device according to claim 2 further including a hub on each of said reels; said hubs being provided with two end pins of different length; and further including a plate above said device, said plate having two pairs of slots of different length adapted to allow passage of said reels only when said reels are oriented so as to bring said end pins into registration with corresponding slots of the same lengths as said pins.
 7. The tape feed and guiding device according to claim 5, further including a pin in the proximity of the outer peripheral edge of said take-up reel; said tape bearing against said pin when wound beyond the peripheral edge of said reel, so that a friction torque is generated between said tape and said pin, said friction torque acting to reduce the speed of said motor and to cause the formation of a loop of excessive length.
 8. The tape feed and guiding device according to claim 4 wherein: said cam means includes a slot formed in said lever; said intermediate means include a second lever having a second pin attached, said slot receiving said second pin, and said second pin being adapted to cause pivotal movement of said second lever between two positions, said pin in one of said two positions engaging a third lever said third lever cooperating with an actuating member of said switch so that said switch is closed when said pin is in said one position and open when said pin is in the other of said two positions.
 9. The tape feed and guiding device according to claim 5 wherein: said cam means includes a slot formed in a lever; said intermediate means include a second lever having a second pin attached, said slot receiving said second pin, and said second pin being adapted to cause pivotal movement of said second lever between two positions, said pin in one of said two positions engaging a third lever said third lever cooperating with an actuating member of said switch so that said switch is closed when said pin is in said one position and open when said pin is in the other of said two positions.
 10. The tape feed and guiding device according to claim 7 wherein: said cam means includes a slot formed in a lever; said intermediate means include a second lever having a second pin attached, said slot receiving said second pin, and said second pin being adapted to cause pivotal movement of said second lever between two positions, said pin in one of said two positions engaging a third lever said third lever cooperating with an actuating member of said switch so that said switch is closed when said pin is in said one position and open when said pin is in the other of said two positions.
 11. The tape feed and guiding device according to claim 8 wherein; said third lever is actuated by said second lever through a projection provided at the end of said second lever, said projection coacting with a fork fixed to said third lever; and including a clearance of predetermined value between the surfaces of said projection and the inside surfaces of said fork.
 12. The tape feed and guiding device according to claim 1 further including at least one tape diverter; said diverter having a support on which a sliding seat for said tape is provided; said diverter being configured to impart to said tape, a diversion through 180 degree; a cap removably coupled to said support, the inner surface of said cap and said sliding seat defining a channel into one end of which said tape can be introduced, whereby said tape under a pushing action exerted thereon, can pass through said channel and come out of the other end thereof.
 13. The tape feed and guiding device according to claim 12, wherein said cap is made of transparent material and is mounted on said support by snap action.
 14. The tape feed and guiding device according to claim 12 wherein said diverter is pivotally mounted on a bracket integrally fixed to said device, and said diverter is held in a normal working position, against a stop on said bracket, by the action of a spring.
 15. The tape feed and guiding device according to claim 13 wherein said diverter is pivotally mounted on a bracket integrally fixed to said device, and said diverter is held in a normal working position, against a stop on said bracket, by the action of a spring. 